BILL NUMBER: AB 2143	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 6, 2010

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Gilmore

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2010

   An act  to add Section 64.5 to the Military and Veterans Code,
  relating to military and veterans.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2143, as amended, Gilmore. The Department of Veterans Affairs:
consolidation of services to veterans.
   Existing law establishes the Department of Veteran's Affairs
within state government and sets forth its powers and duties,
including, but not limited to, administration of veterans benefits
programs. Existing law establishes the California Veterans Board
within the department and sets forth its powers and duties,
including, but not limited to its power to determine operational
policy for the department.
   This bill would  declare the intent of the Legislature to
subsequently provide for the consolidation under the jurisdiction of
the Department of Veterans Affairs and the California Veterans Board
or all programs that currently bestow any benefits for which veterans
may be eligible but which are currently under the jurisdiction of
other state agencies, and to provide for a commensurate transfer of
staff and other assets from those agencies to the department and to
the board   establish the California Veterans Services
and Workforce Development Division within the Department of Veterans
Affairs for the purpose of coordinating and administering veterans
assistance programs in the state, and would require the division to
perform various functions and duties relating to the coordination and
administration of veterans assistance programs, as specified  .

   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION 1.    The Legislature hereby finds and
declares the following:  
   (a) California has the largest veteran population in the nation,
comprised of an estimated 2 million veterans. Each month, thousands
of military personnel are released from active service, and face
tremendous challenges transitioning back into civilian life. 

   (b) The challenges military veterans face are compounded by a
complex system of veteran assistance programs that is difficult to
navigate.  
   (c) The United States Department of Veterans Affairs expended
approximately $6 billion in California in the 2005 federal fiscal
year. Of that amount, $2.66 billion was in disability payments
(compensation and benefits) to veterans. The states that have the
largest veteran populations in the nation are California, Florida,
and Texas. Texas veterans have collected 44 percent more disability
benefits than the amount collected by California veterans.  

   (d) Increasing disability benefit participation in California in
an amount that would approach the national average could generate an
additional $330 million in annual payments to California veterans.

   SEC. 2.    Section 64.5 is added to the  
Military and Veterans Code   , to read:  
   64.5.  (a) The California Veterans Services and Workforce
Development Division is hereby established within the department for
the purpose of coordinating and administering veterans assistance
programs in the state. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall have
authority over the division.
   (b) The division shall do all of the following:
   (1) Coordinate with other state agencies that provide benefits and
assistance to veterans to ensure that information about veterans
assistance programs and benefits is made available to all state
agencies that serve veterans in the state.
   (2) Administer the Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) and the
Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP), in cooperation with the
Employment Development Department. The division shall work with staff
from the Employment Development Department to develop a plan whereby
responsibility for the administration of TAP and DVOP shall be
transferred from the Employment Development Department to the
division.
   (3) Ensure that other state agencies and officials that are
involved in the implementation and administration of veterans
services programs are informed when any changes in existing programs
are required, or new programs are established that provide assistance
and benefits to veterans, and require that those agencies and
officials report to the division when those changes occur or new
programs are established.
   (4) Collaborate with staff from other state agencies including,
but not limited to, the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, the
Employment Training Panel, the California Workforce Investment Board,
the State Department of Mental Health, the Department of General
Services, the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, and
representatives of the University of California, the California State
University, and the California Community Colleges with regard to the
provision of veterans services and benefits.  
  SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature
to subsequently enact a measure including provisions that would
consolidate, under the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans
Affairs and the Veterans Board, all programs that currently bestow
any benefits for which veterans may be eligible but which are under
the jurisdiction of other state agencies, and to provide for a
commensurate transfer of staff and other assets from those agencies
to the department and to the board.